I first was introduced to Mary’ Giuliani though her first book, The Cocktail Party. A friend had given me a copy and I was hooked. I loved reading about Mary’s glamorous catering gigs for some of Hollywood’s finest and her entertaining tips were quite clever. Honestly some of the best I have heard. When her second book, this week’s Book Club Choice, Tiny Hot Dogs, a Memoir in Small Bites. I was dying to get my hands on it. I was invited to a bunch of Mary’s book signings, this time around and I thought it would be a fun thing to bring Mary to Rye. She will be here on Wednesday night for cocktails, a book signing and some entertaining tips!!! RSVP and let me know if you can make it!!!!
From awkward schoolgirl to Caterer to the Stars, Mary Giuliani weaves together a collection of hilarious memories, from professional growing pains to her long journey to motherhood, never losing her sense of humor and her love for everyone’s favorite party food, pigs in a blanket.
Mary’s utterly unremarkable childhood was everything she didn’t want: hailing from a deeply loving yet overprotective Italian family in an all-Jewish enclave on Long Island. All she wanted was to fit in (be Jewish) and become famous (specifically a cast member on Saturday Night Live). With an easy, natural storytelling sensibility, Mary shares her journey from a cosseted childhood home to the stage and finally to the party, accidentally landing what she now refers to as “the breakthrough role of a lifetime” catering to a glittery list of stars she once hoped to be part of herself.
Fresh, personal, and full of Mary’s humorous, self-deprecating, and can-do attitude against all odds, you’ll want to see where each shiny silver tray of hors d’oeuvres takes her next. You never know when the humble hot dog will be a crucial ingredient in the recipe for success, in building a business or simply making life more delicious. – Amazon.com
This week’s Weekend Real Estate Stalking home is a beauty in Larchmont…I just love this house. Its wrap around porch is gorgeous. Even though the house is Victorian in style, it has such a great mix of modern touches and contemporary clean lines. How gorgeous is the Kitchen? I love the all white with the pop of black in the stove and center island legs!!! Very Clever!!!! For more information on this beautiful home, contact Nancy McCreery.
I recently met Nichole from the House of Michel (pronounced Michael). She is a curator of curious, quirky and fabulous furniture and accessories for your home. Nicole has a gorgeous space in the Fairfield Antique and Design Center in Norwalk Ct. You can also follow her on Instagram or purchase online at Chairish. I have purchased many of Nicole’s fabulous finds, from vintage glassware, to a chunky brass candlestick trio to cool lucite objects. Weekends are the perfect time to do a little antique hunting…..Here are some of my favorite House of Michel treasures…….Bon Weekend!!!
It is so hard to find a cake for a special occasion, especially if you want the golden combination of it looking incredible and tasing incredible. I have gone through so many bakeries and many failed attempts at finding just the right one. As my daughter’s High School graduation party was looming, I decided to do a local search. Nora’s Ovenworks, in Harrison kept coming up. I contacted Nora and she was fabulous. I loved her look book and we decided on a two tier cake in the blue and grey Georgetown (my daughter’s college) colors with flowers (her name is Daisy), a pink bow (her senior class color) and her high school logo, the Georgetown logo and bulldog mascot. The cake was chocolate with a cookies and cream filling….OMG!! It was amazing. Some of our guests had 2 pieces and a few took a piece home for later!!! I highly recommend Nora for any future celebration. Here are some of her incredible creations. Also, Nora gave me a copy of her prize Lemon Chiffon cake for me to share with you!!! YUMMMMMMM…Bon Appetit!!!!
Lemon Meringue Pie
For 9” Pie
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cups water
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
3 tbsp. butter
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tbsp. grated lemon rind
Mix sugar and cornstarch in saucepan. Gradually stir in water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil 1 min. Slowly stir at least half the hot mixture into egg yolks. Then blend into hot mixture in saucepan. Boil 1 min. longer, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Continue stirring until smooth. Blend in butter, lemon juice and rind. Pour into baked pie shell. Cover with Pie Meringue. Bake. Serve as soon as cool.
The other day I was out with some friends and I was wearing a dress that I bought at Target. Everyone was asking me where the dress was from. They could not believe that it really was from Target and was probably not more than $30. I started thinking…fashion is not about going to the most expensive store and buying the most expensive head to toe outfit. It really is about mixing what you love, high and low end pieces, and the trendy and traditional. I was so impressed with the selection that I saw at Target recently that I thought I would share some of their new arrivals in dresses with you…Get ready for the compliments!!!!!
*This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click a link and purchase something, I may get a small commission from it at no cost to you. I only feature things that I truly love and I hope you do too!!!
I have loved the blog The Zhush for years. Sue is right on when it comes to interiors, fashion and all things hip. I was so excited to hear that she recently added another title to her expertise, Artist. Last week, I went to her first Art Show in Norwalk Ct. I was blown away by Sue’s talent. Her pieces are gorgeous abstracts in neutral, calm colors. I tried to capture each and every painting for you….They are all incredible and so special..for more information on any of the pieces in this post, contact SUE.
